Here before you know it.

Sod it, the festive season is going to arrive before we know it, even though we have a year to prepare and the shops bamboozle us with holiday things from September onwards, it still seems to come as a surprise on December the 19th when I still haven't got all the food decorations and gifts that I need. I just can't wait any longer to post about these lovely bells, candles and garlands from Toast house and home not so seasonal really in colours of peeling gold, terracotta and brown paper I think they have year round appeal.

Too early.

Slap me, I know it's way too early to mention Christmas, but I love this so much I had to share. Keep updated on all their beautiful creations here.

Happy Saturday xxx

Pine and pomegranate

Wishing your holiday's were all you hoped for. Mine were. One more party before I tidy all the decorations away and begin another year, will this one be even better?

Extra blankets

I woke up to find a light sprinkling of snow covering my street this morning, so I thought I would share some more lovely wintry pictures from around the UK. I so hope it stays for christmas. I know the whole country seems to grind to a halt and some people get a bit crazy when it snows, but I just see it as an opportunity stay home, pile extra blankets on the couch and make a round of cinnamon dusted churros.


Photos by Alexander Morag and Jan Ford over at The BBC weather gallery. Churos image from Cherry platter.

Ps. thank you so much for all your well wishes on my last post. Still beaming : )

Happy Saturday

Watching Holiday Inn and eating pistachio nougat. No gym today after all, leaning more (like you) towards the idea of beginning in January after the glazed ham and plum pudding are safely out of eyeshot. Seems like a better, safer plan don't you think?
Can't decide which decoration path to go down? Bright colours and jingle bells or muted antique silvers and silent nights?

Rituals

Building works may mean we won't have a living room this Christmas. I may have to just pop our tree on the kitchen table, the annual visit to a local farm to choose our tree is a favourite festive ritual. Do you have any seasonal rituals?


Elsewhere the best dressed tree of the day is from Dottie Angel.


All images Dottie Angel

Inner elf

Up early and that happy sun is up and looks to last a few hours so I must get out and take some pictures for an article I am writing. I have also added a few new garlands to the shop.
I suppose I should start adding some more festive items. I really don't like to think about christmas until at least mid November and with that fast approaching and the postal situation over here I guess its time. I am quite against the shops stocking their shelves with mince pies and christmas crackers in September, but all my magazines this month are getting geared up for the season of red and gold and then "Home alone' or some other festive film will be on TV and my inner elf can't be contained, I love snow, wrapping presents making yummy treats for family and friends, decorations.

Christmas spirit is potent stuff, so I will rein it in, still only November 4th. I think I will just do a tiny collection. Some festive garlands and wreaths.

Thank you. How each one of your comments and emails have made my life and blogs richer places. Have a wonderful few days, merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

little stitches

Home and just enough time to stitch my last few gifts for Christmas and finish writing cards to hand deliver. I would like to say thanks to all the sweet folk who sent me surprise cards. I don't know where my head has been these last few weeks, I am afraid I did not get myself organized enough to send cards overseas. But I have a little plan to return these kind thoughts. : )

Twinkle and sparkle

Adding a sprinkle of festiveness to the house before I go away again. Just a few twinkles, candles and garlands. I love preparing for Christmas. Hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing.

the c word

This beautiful picture card from a view to is reminding me that it is so nearly December.

Shabby christmas

Wishing I was in New York today, two of my friends have been there in the last month and it makes me jealous! Its just so christmasy there. When we go I always drag the boy to the Shabby Chic store at 83 Wooster St. I could spend a whole day in there soaking up inspiration from the beautiful interior and displays, happily spending too much money, wishing it was my own shop. I know he secretly loves being surrounded by faded chintz and all that girly stuff (poor man).
I am also extra upset about missing the traveling collection of restored vintage prom dresses that were to eventually be sold in the New York Shabby chic store. And if I lived alone the bed linen below would have to be mine. I won't inflict that on him tho! I am a lucky girl I pretty much have the apartment how I like and he never made me suffer any kind of bachelor style decor : )
I just keep him quiet with a big flat screen TV and the remote controls (which never leave his hands!)

(photos from shabby chic)

Now on etsy

A few people were inquiring about the tiny pinboard bunting I made for christmas, so I thought I'd say thanks for your interest and I have just listed my last five on etsy : )

Teeny tiny christmas bunting.

I did another craft fair today, I have to say I do not enjoy the selling side as much as I enjoy the creating and packaging side. I sold quite a few bits though so I am pleased and it was in a cosy hall too so no complaints from me, the pessimist winger! Also I had great company in my friend Barbara who bragged for me all day and fellow stall holders Alice and Naomi (safety in numbers!) There were some beautiful jewellery stalls and some very tasty home made biscuits doing the rounds! Inspired by the hole punch confetti used by Abigail Brown (who I wrote about earlier this week) I added some inside the boxes for the teeny pin board bunting I made, mixed with a little festive sparkle in the form of glitter of course! I have some of these left so yay for me I can keep one and hang it in my bedroom : )

cold

Its sooo cold right now. I don't want to get out of bed. It's hard to dress creatively when all you want to wear is the biggest snuggle jumper and thick wooly tights! My hands are going numb just trying to type. But its my day off and I have a craft fair to prepare for. Listen to me moan! I have polish friends that know full well I will never experience REAL cold in the UK!
Hope it's busy, being christmas and all people should be in the mood to shop. I really like the simple design of the poster.
Better get up now, I know an offer of lunch is coming and if I don't get making before that nothing will get done. Its hard to tear oneself away from a good girly chat in a warm pub on a chilly day like this : )